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What are the 4 major indoor air pollutants?

Well, there are more than four, but the major pollutants that an air filtration system could minimize or even eliminate are: 

• Carbon monoxide – A colorless, odorless gas produced by natural gas, kerosene, propane, oil, or wood burning appliances or heaters, and an element of car exhaust.
• Tobacco smoke – Over 3,000 chemical compounds are composed together are released into the homes of smokers. 
• Radon – Another colorless and odorless gas but is radioactive and comes from the earth in the form of a uranium breaking down in the soil below our homes, then seeps through the floors, foundation, and walls. 
• Mold – Any damp area in your home, air conditioner, basement, carpeting, ceiling, humidifier, mattress, refrigerator, will grow airborne mold spores.

Other pollutants found in home are pesticides and solvents. Both provide dangerous breathing situations with their ingredients. If a humidifier can be good for the home, then what about the mold mentioned earlier? What is the difference between an air purifiers vs dehumidifiers? 

An air in your home is circulated through an air purifier. Inside that air purifier is the air filtration system where air-borne pollutants are trapped in a filter, including irritants like dust, pollen, and smoke. 

A dehumidifier reduces the humidity by sucking in moisture from the air. Once that moisture is sucked in, the microbes and mold in the air are killed.  So, because a humidifier sucks in mold, if the filter isn’t changed on regular schedule, those air-borne mold particles are released back into the air you’re breathing. An air filtration system will suck in those particles and minimize how much is escaping into the air. 

Should I sleep with air purifier on?

The  air purifiers benefits your family can have should be around the clock, and if they are more important at any point, it is while you’re sleeping.  The pollutants inside your home are coming from things like formaldehyde in the flooring and furniture. These are things escaping into the air 24/7/365. Fortunately, an air filtration system or air purifier doesn’t use much energy, and most have a low speed you can set the unit at while it is constantly running. 

Do air purifiers cool the air?

While an air purifier circulates air with an internal fan, it does not cool the air. There is nothing inside an air filtration system, like a mechanism that cools. 

Do air purifiers dry out sinuses?

No, and air purifier will not dry out your sinuses. There are a series of filters inside an air filtration system and air moves through those, getting rid of any airborne molecules. An air purifier is only taking in particles, not the air, which is what dries sinuses out. 

Humidity is different every season, so we have to approach and treat it differently. When the weather is at its hottest, summertime, the humidity is sometimes intolerable for many. So, using a method that will lower the humidity makes us more comfortable, like a dehumidifier. 

During the winter, the humidity is different and actually drop too low, causing your home to be extra dry when the heater is running. So, you need a piece of equipment that adds the moisture back into your home.    

Keep your carpets cleaned, daily vacuuming once a month shampoo, and twice a year professionally cleaned. Installing air purifiers or mold removers in areas that are damp and prone to have mold, bathrooms, laundry room, and kitchen. Anyone that smokes, ask them do take it outside and when you enter your home, take off your shoes!  These are tracking in more pollutants and toxins that you’re breathing in. Want to get started with an air filtration system for your home? Call (714) 464-6622 today!

Refrigerant is the product, and Freon is the brand name. Think of a tissue is the product, and Kleenex is the brand name.  Freon is a trademark product of DuPont. There are other brands of refrigerant recharge, which more consumers are turning to because of the concern of the environment. The following are the four most suitable refrigerants to replace the Freon brand: 

• R-134A
• R-407C
• R-404A
• R-410A

If a technician has advised you that your air conditioner needs a refrigerant recharge, ask if they have these other brands and will they work on your air conditioner. Some air conditioners have to be retrofit to take a different brand of refrigerant recharge. At that point, you may be better off replacing your unit if there is a leak. 

Can you recharge an air conditioner?

HVAC air conditioning and windows air conditioners can have a refrigerant recharge. However, if there is a leak, it will escape. A small leak will take some time for that refrigerant recharge to escape, and if it leaks fast, then you’ll know you have a large leak. Keep in mind that while this refrigerant recharge is leaking, it is not environmentally friendly and is depleting the ozone.

How often do you need to add Freon to home AC?

If everything within your HVAC air conditioner is working correctly, it shouldn’t ever need a refrigerant recharge. The only time an air conditioner “needs a refrigerant recharge is when it has a leak, and as we’ve mentioned earlier, refrigerant recharge your air conditioner is like adding air to a tire with a hole. It will simply leak out again if you don’t fix the leak. We aren’t saying a refrigerant recharge doesn’t have its purpose, why else would the product and tools be on the market if there wasn’t a reason? However, we can’t state this enough; if the leak isn’t found and fixed, a refrigerant recharge is a waste of money and time.

Here are five indicators that your air conditioner needs a refrigerant recharge.”

• The air conditioner is continuously running: The refrigerant absorbs heat from the inside of your house and sends it outside. When there isn’t any or enough coolant, it can’t do that will keep attempting to cool the warm air inside your home. That leads to the following fact: Higher energy bills.
• Higher energy bills: Air conditioning is going to increase your energy bills some, that is just a given during the summer months. However, if it seems to have jumped up more than it has before, there is something wrong. This leads us to the following fact: Closed vents.
• Air isn’t cold: When an air conditioner doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it can’t absorb the heat from your home. This means only warm air will be coming out of the vents, and usually a reduced amount of airflow. What this is doing is building ice up inside the air conditioner, which leads us to the following fact: Iced refrigerant lines. 
• Iced over refrigerant lines: Your next step is to check the component outside your home, and if the refrigerant lines going into the house have ice on them, your air conditioner needs a refrigerant recharge or replacing. 
• Bubbling/Hissing noises: A small refrigerant leaks are silent, so if you can hear any bubbling or hissing sounds, you need to call a professional air conditioning repair service immediately.

Note: A good air conditioning technician will advise you that your system has a leak and give you a quote for repairing the leak, not just “top you off” with a refrigerant recharge. Some repair companies will be glad to keep returning to “top you off” because they make money from that service. Use a reputable air conditioning service. 

Can you recharge Home AC yourself? and How do I recharge my home AC unit? are two popular questions. Why? Because everybody likes to save money! Even air conditioning professionals understand that! 

We wouldn’t be true to ourselves if we didn’t state this: Performing a refrigerant recharge can be dangerous. These cans of refrigerant and the refrigerant lines on your air conditioner are under high pressure. The refrigerant itself is sold only to a licensed air conditioning professional by law set forth by the Environmental Protection Administration. 

If you can find somebody to buy the refrigerant from, you’ll need special equipment and tools to perform the refrigerant recharge procedure. If you are determined to attempt this yourself, and you don’t know how to refrigerant recharge, we offer the following: 

• Make sure you purchase the right refrigerant for your air conditioner. There are different kinds and using the wrong one could make the situation worse. 
• Check all the components inside the air condition and compressor, making sure it is all in working order and clean.  
• Plug the service valve from your refrigerant kit into a compressor line in the air conditioner unit and follow the instructions in the kit and attached to the service valve.
• The refrigerant kit should have a small valve connector.  Plug the remaining compressor lines from the air conditioner compressor then follow the instructions in the refrigerant kit.
• Attach the refrigerant container to the two valves you installed and follow the instructions in the refrigerant kit, securing the container between the valves. 
• After you are finished installing the refrigerant, turn your air conditioning on full blast so that the refrigerant is forced into the air conditioning system. Once the refrigerant is loaded, turn off the system and remove the refrigerant container and valves. 

While having an energy efficient air conditioner is on obvious way to save on energy cost, how do you know you’re getting the best energy efficient air conditioner? Homeowners that start shopping for an energy efficient air conditioner often will ask the salesperson, “Which air conditioner is most energy efficient?” All the manufacturers will tell you theirs are, but truly, which is the most energy efficient air conditioner and how do you know? 

Experts in air conditioning will tell you that the models and units that are the most energy efficient are ENERGY STAR® compliant. Manufacturers must meet standards that are above the basic standards to receive this certification as an energy efficient air conditioner unit with criteria like:

• minimum ten percent more efficient than government standard requirements
• made with better materials and parts that are more efficient for energy use
• superior performance for consumers
• provide consumers reduced energy costs for recouping their upfront expense
• eco or energy-saving mode, filter cleaning reminders

Is it cheaper to run your AC all day?

When the temperatures will be hot, it is less expensive to live your air conditioner on during the day, even if you’re not hope. However, it shouldn’t be left at full blast and cold the whole time. This isn’t only to be energy efficient or cost effective. It can wear your unit out faster and you’ll be having repair cost or replacement cost sooner.

At what temperature AC consumes less power?

To maintain an ideal setting for the air conditioner, set the thermostat at 25 degrees cooler than the expected high for the day. Each 22 degree drop uses as much as four percent less power.

What are 7 ways that you can reduce yfour own personal consumption of energy?

We listed five things you can do to reduce energy consumption earlier, but there are more things you can do. The following is a list of energy efficient tips that you can implement in addition to purchasing energy efficient air conditioner, because not all energy efficiency is electrical. Look:

1. Energy Efficiency the Refrigerator

Setting the temperature at 37 degrees will lessen how much  energy this appliance uses. Make sure all the gaskets around the freezer and fridge door are sealing too.

2. Switch on Fluorescent Bulbs

CF (compact fluorescent) bulbs use just one-fifth of the incandescent light bulbs and they have a longer lifespan up to six times.

3. Automatic or Timed Light Sensors

Outdoor lighting provides security, but you don’t need them on all the time isn’t necessary though. Have a professional electrician install automatic and timed sensors for all your outdoor lighting so they only come on at dusk and turn off at dawn.

4. Solar-Powered Lighting

Nothing says welcome more than a walkway lit up, or flowerbeds with soft lighting shining on your home’s architecture. Having all those lights burning when you don’t need them is a waste of energy. Switch out all the landscape lighting with solar-powered lights and let the sun power them! 

5. Buy Appliances with EnergyStar Rating

As we mentioned above when buying energy efficient air conditioner, the EnergyStar standards indicate you will get a money saving air conditioner. The same is to be said about all appliances and electronics. These all cost more to purchase, but to be in line with the EnergyStar guidelines, the appliances have to be guaranteed to have a lower operating cost.

6. Insulation Is the Big Winner

If your home has electric heat, the more insulation you can have in the attic, basement, and walls, the more you’ll mitigate the energy loss and reduce your home’s electricity consumption during the winter. During the summer, it does just the opposite and keeps the cool air in and the heat out. Insulating your home will help keep that cool air from your new energy efficient air conditioner inside where it belongs!  

7. Insulate the Water Lines and Water Heater

Wrap your electric water heater with an insulation jacket will reduce how much electricity it uses and wrap the hot water lines will keep the water hot from the water heater to the faucet.

Is it worth replacing the compressor on AC unit?

Among HVAC technicians, there is a general agreement that the compressor in an AC unit gets a lot of blame but is not necessarily the cause of most problems. In reality, this part of the air conditioning unit tends to last as long as the system, boasting a general lifespan of 12 hears and sometimes more. Normally as well, when a homeowner has the compressor replaced, it generally is apart of an entire air conditioner replacement. As it stands, most problems that occur in the compressor can actually be prevented. One will find that these problems include:

• Too much or too little refrigerant: The compressor needs a specific amount of refrigerant to effectively fulfill its purpose. Too little can lead to a strain in the system whereas too much can lead to subcooling and further damages.
• Suction line size: When the size of the suction line is too small or large, the compressor can fail prematurely
• Ill kept coils: Air passes through and around the condenser coils, building up any manner of filth like dust and grime. When not cleaned, the compressor can overheat and eventually fail. 
• Lack of lubrication: As a machine, each part needs to be properly maintained and oiled so it does not catch or eventually fail
• Blockages: In many parts of the entire air conditioning system, blockages can damage the compressor directly even if it’s not in contact with the problem. 

While other problems also occur in the electrical and cleaning aspects of the compressor, each of the mentioned issues can be avoided. While a person should check up on their system every so often, the best way to keep it in good condition is to have a technician inspect it. The best way to avoid the need for air conditioner repair services is to have the system inspected at least once to twice per year in the spring and fall.

Can a dirty filter cause AC not to work?

While many problems that call for air conditioner repair are often not the compressor, it is common for problem to arise when the filter is dirty. A dirty filter can be considered in the same conversation as a blockage, which forces the compressor and other parts to work harder in order to cool the home. The general consensus among technicians, therefore, is that the filter should be replaced at a frequency depending on the home.

• 20-45 days for homes with pets and occupants that suffer allergies
• Every 60 days when occupants just have pets
• 90 days for homes without pets

When your home is not necessarily cooling efficiently, it tends to lean towards dirty filters, dirty parts, or a blockage that has formed in the ventilation. As mentioned, the system needs to be well maintained to a larger degree to constantly cool the home and to last for the 15 years that it can achieve.

Is it cheaper to run central AC or window units?

The cooling and heating of your home can take up to 50% of your budget every month. With summer coming, you already know a lot of that expense will cool costs, especially if the kids are home all day. So, before summer settles in, maybe you need to consider getting an energy efficient air conditioner? 

You may replace your central air conditioning with window units, and what the air conditioner energy efficiency ratio between the two methods is the best. It is important to find a method to cool your home with a method that is air conditioning energy efficient. Besides energy efficient air conditioners, homeowners want convenience and easy operation for the HVAC system.

That is where the programmable thermostats on the market today are a big part of the energy efficient air conditioner shopping. These thermostats allow you to set the temperature to fluctuate with various times of day and night. Window unit air conditioners today come with an EnergySaver option that will only turn the air conditioning (or heat) on when it senses the room temperature isn’t where the thermostat is set. It turns on the cooling feature or heating feature accordingly. 

Comfort is another motive for upgrading to a newer energy efficient air conditioner too. The newer the system, the more it will keep the temperature at an even point all through the house. With the EnergySaver option mentioned above, window units can keep the temperature more consistent throughout the house, but each room may still feel a little cooler or warmer than other rooms. However, with window units, you can turn off a unit to one room that isn’t being used. 

Can a faulty thermostat cause a high electric bill?

If your electric bill reached extraordinarily high numbers last summer, making you dread the upcoming summer, try replacing your thermostat first. Even with the highest energy efficient air conditioners, a thermostat can begin to malfunction as it wears out. Fortunately, air conditioners don’t go out as often!  

Thermostat manufacturers don’t give an expected exact lifespan on the units, but on average, they last around ten years. On average, you can expect them to last at least 10 years. After 10 years they may begin to malfunction from dust accumulating and wiring getting brittle.

When this happens, they aren’t able to detect the temperature properly in the house and cut off and on frequently or don’t turn off or on. Even with a brand-new energy efficient air conditioner installed, if the thermostat is old, you will not get the most from your new unit.

Need energy efficient air conditioner installation in Orange, CA? Call the experts at Elite HVAC at (714) 464-6622 today!

How does a Humidifier work?

Depending on the installed device, humidifiers result in the emission of water vapor into the air. Some heat water and carry the mist through a wind tunnel caused by a fan or are dispersed into the air through vibration. It is not uncommon for a humidifier to be connected to an air conditioner and heating unit, providing a constant environment each time the appliance turns on. Before going into the general air of the home, the moisture runs through a filter to effectively grant the best experience. 

There are common misconceptions with humidifiers versus vaporizers. While some humidifiers do heat water into steam and disperses it into the air, that technique is far more common and specialized in vaporizers. As mentioned, humidifiers use multiple different different kinds of methods to disperse water particles into the air. While both are effective to use for allergies, humidifiers are more common in larger models like those seen in whole house humidifiers. 

Humidifiers can be used at all times when having a source of water to disperse into the air. While mobile units depend on constant refilling to keep the area relatively humid, whole house humidifiers have constant access to your water while making very little difference on your water bill. In fact, in areas with colder weather, humidifiers use around 12 gallons of water per day when the heater is in constant use. In a sense, whole house humidifiers activate and are in use when your HVAC is in use.

Should I install my Humidifier on my Furnace?

Humidifier benefits can be best felt when connected to a heater, due to the lack of moisture in the air due to the appliance warming the air in a way that dehydrates the interior of your home. A humidifier would apply a light level of moisture to the outgoing air, helping it stay warmer longer and putting less strain on the heater as a result. 

To avoid common problems in whole home humidifiers and receive humidifier benefits, we recommend a Elite HVAC visits your home at least once a year to apply maintenance to your HVAC and humidifier systems. With a lifespan of ten years, a whole house humidifier tends to break down on rare occasions. The issues owners should stay observant for is mold and leaking in your unit. Due to the nature of the product passing moisture through your air ducts, there are infrequent occasions where mold pops up. This and general technical issues that can easily be fixed by one of our technicians in Orange, CA. 

To keep from having that happening, it is important to practice regular gas furnace cleaning and inspection year-round.  Even when you’re not using your gas furnace, it is still collecting dust along with cobwebs, so cleaning your gas furnace periodically year-round will help in keeping it in good working order.

How do you know if your furnace is dying?

Well, if it isn’t heating your home at all, that would be one sign that it has died. Or, if your gas furnace is short cycling, meaning it turns off and on a lot during a short time without ever heating the house, it could indicate any of the following:

• Air filter clogged – A gas furnace with a clogged air filter will keep the blower fan can’t move air over the heat exchanger, causing it to overheat and trip the fan limiter, which shuts the system down.
• Clogged flue – If the flue or vent pipe is clogged or damaged, the flue limiter shuts down the furnace. This is a protection step to keep the gas furnace from emitting carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Dirty thermocouple – Older gas furnaces have a thermocouple that senses the flames from the burner, allowing the flow of the natural gas. When it is damaged or dirty, the gas valve and furnace off to prevent the accumulation of gas.
• Damaged igniter – If the igniter isn’t working or on an older gas furnace, the pilot light blows out, the furnace shuts down to prevent the accumulation of gas.
• Failed fan limiter – The fan limiter inhibits the heat exchanger from developing hot enough to start a fire, which could damage the heat exchanger that could lead to cracking for carbon monoxide leaks. When this isn’t properly working, the gas furnace shuts off.
• Oversized furnace – Sometimes, bigger is not better, and that could be the case with your furnace. A furnace that is too big for a house will cycle too frequently, and while this isn’t dangerous, it uses more energy, thus costing more.

Do high-efficiency furnaces save money?

Definitely!  It is estimated that you lose approximately 4 percent of the energy with a top-of-the-line gas furnace, while96% is heating your home. This is a great improvement over gas furnaces of the past.

Should I replace my 30-year-old furnace? 

Thirty years is a good lifespan for a gas furnace, no matter what logic you’re told to follow. A furnace may last past that 30^th birthday, but it won’t be as efficient as it was at 10-year, 15 years, even 20-year mark. Experts recommend that you should start shopping or a replacement unit at the 15-year mark.

Does a new furnace increase home value? 

Probably not, but it won’t hurt either. You shouldn’t expect a large ROI of replacing your gas furnace, but you will gain the benefit that buyers like to hear the words “new roof”, “new carpet”, “new furnace”, etc. If there are houses similar to yours on the market, the same time yours is having that “new furnace” could be what grabs that buyer.

Electric Furnace or Gas Furnace

Wrapping up this piece, we will list the pros and cons of an electric furnace and a gas furnace:

Using the information that we’ve provided in this piece can help you in choosing your next furnace or getting the most out of your current gas furnace. The important thing is to make sure you have the safest means of heat while being energy efficient for the environment and your budget. When it is time for a new furnace in Orange, CA, the experts at Elite HVAC are here to help! Call us today at (714) 464-6622!

Benefits of Whole House Air Filtration and Purification

Are whole house purifiers worth it? That’s the question we get asked often and the short answer is, yes! A whole-house purifier or filtration system will help to reduce airborne spores, bacteria, allergens and more. This means the air in your house will be safer and healthier for your loved ones. What else can these systems do? Let’s take a look.

• Healthier Air: Of course, one of the main benefits of a filtration system is healthier air. With a whole house filtration system, your air will be cleaner and safer for your loved ones. 
• Removing Odors: These systems help to eliminate odors that can linger in the air. If you have a smoker in the house or someone has just cooked fish, you’ll notice less of those smells stick around. That’s because the filtration system traps particles that can create and perpetuate those odors. 
• Less Dust: Believe it or not, but you can experience less dust build-up with a filtration or purification system. That happens because most of the dust particles actually get trapped in the filtration system, rather than hanging out on your tabletops.
• Longer HVAC Life: In many cases, a whole house purification system can actually help your HVAC system last longer. These systems help your HVAC unit run more efficiently which in turn puts less pressure on it. In turn, you’ll have two systems that will last a while.

One of the best parts about installing an HVAC filter is that it can pretty much be installed on any system. So if you are having American Standard services done, you can ask your technician to see about installing a new filtration system as well. For more about this, you can contact Elite HVAC. We have years of experience with installing, repairing and maintaining whole-house air filtration systems. You can trust our opinion and services. Get started with us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best whole house air cleaner?
  • It really depends on what you are looking for. While you can purchase a separate filter for individual rooms, your best bet will usually be a filtration system that operates with your HVAC system. This will provide the most bang for your buck. 
• How much does a whole house HEPA cost?
  • The cost will vary depending on the size, model, and type of purifier you purchase. Ultimately, homeowners will spend between $250 and $2,500 for a whole house filtration and air purification system. The average cost, however, is about $1,300. 
• How do I purify the air in my house?
  • There are multiple ways to accomplish this. You can start by opening the doors and windows, to circulate the air better. You can purchase fans and separate purifiers to better clean the air. Or you could invest in a whole house purifier/filtration system. 
• Does HVAC purify air? 
  • On their own, no, your HVAC system does not purify the air. It circulates the air, so if the filters or ductwork are dirty, that will circulate through the air as well. You can install an HVAC purifier that will eliminate most of those problems. 
• Do air purifiers really work?
  • Yes, they do! Purifiers and other air filtration systems really do capture harmful mold spores, bacteria and more. They help to keep the air in your home clean and healthy.

Benefits of Geothermal Heating

The number one question we get asked is are geothermal systems efficient? Not only are they efficient, they are actuallythe most efficient system on the market. But that is just one of the many advantages you’ll experience with a geothermal system. 

• Eco-Friendly: One of the great things about a geothermal system is that it is incredibly environmentally friendly. There is no carbon monoxide production or greenhouse gas emissions. It also requires less electricity to operate, helping to lower the demand for it.
• Money-Saving and Earning: Because of how efficient this system is, you’ll save quite a bit of money over time. More than that, you can earn money off of it! That’s right, you can claim installation on your taxes and potentially receive a large return. 
• Longevity: Unlike other heating and cooling options, a geothermal system will last you a while. The indoor components will survive upwards of 20-years or longer with maintenance. And the underground coils? That will last 50 years or longer. 
• Safety: Geothermal is one of the safest options for your home as well. There is no combustion involved, which means you don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning or other typical concerns. Additionally, you are using renewable heat from the earth, not a fossil fuel, so you really are working with a safer system altogether.

Everyone wants to do a comparison with a geothermal heat pump vs furnace, but there is no comparison. A furnace will also have a place in any property, but when you want high-efficiency and dependability, there is no question. You may hear of horror stories with homeowners that didn’t have a good experience with geothermal heat. They likely didn’t work with the right team for installation and maintenance. It’s just like when you need a window replacement. If you work with a team that doesn’t know what they are doing, you won’t have good results. That’s why when you need reliable geothermal services, rely only on Elite HVAC.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does it cost to install geothermal heating?
  • The overall cost will depend on the type and size of loop system you choose. On average, though, a 2,500 sq ft home with a heating and cooling load of 60,000 BTU will require a geothermal system that could cost anywhere between $20,000 and $25,000 to install. 
• Is geothermal heating and cooling worth it? 
  • Yes, it is! This is an incredibly unique heating and cooling system for any home. It is actually considered the most efficient heating and cooling system. Because you are using heat from the earth to warm your home, there is no energy loss. 
• How long do geothermal systems last?
  • Geothermal systems are very low noise and low maintenance. Even with the suggested regular maintenance, the indoor components will last upwards of 20-years or longer. While the underground components will last 50+years. 
• Does geothermal increase home value?
  • Depending on where you are at, a geothermal pump or system could provide you with some serious tax returns. Additionally, it will add a good amount of property value to your home as well. 
• How much land do you need for geothermal heat?
  • Every home is different, but a good benchmark to consider. 400-600 feet of coil is needed for every ton of energy required to heat or cool a space. So, a mid-sized will usually require a 3-ton unit. This means you’ll need between 1,200 and 1,800 feet of coil.

If you are having problems keeping the temperature adjusted or your system has stopped working, your thermostat may need to be repaired or replaced. For exceptional HVAC thermostat services in Orange, CA, rely on the team at Elite HVAC. Schedule an appointment with us by calling (714) 464-6622.

While your thermostat helps keep your home cool in the summer, there’s nothing like a cold glass of water to keep you cool, refreshed and healthy. To ensure you always have fresh, clean water to drink, you may want to consider installing a carbon filtration system for your home.

How do you know if a house thermostat is bad?

A problem with your HVAC thermostat could affect your whole system. Below are some ways you can tell your HVAC thermostat is bad.

• HVAC thermostat not working: If your home temperature doesn’t change or the display is unresponsive or not lit usually means the thermostat is broken or needs batteries.
• The heater or air conditioner will not turn on. A wiring defect may be preventing electric signals getting sent to the system, and shutting it down.
• The heater or air conditioner will run constantly and not turn off. The thermostat could be miscalibrated or have faulty wiring. Faulty wiring is often a cause of thermostat issues. Usually this is because the wiring, and even the thermostat, are aging.
• The setting on your thermostat and the room’s temperature aren’t matching. This may be normal if the system is set up for zoning, which regulates temperatures in different parts of the house. If the system is not set up this way, it may be faulty.

When should I replace my home thermostat?

Your home thermostat will generally last about 10 years or so before it needs to be replaced, which is also about the average lifespan of an HVAC system. If it at all possible, it’s best to replace the thermostat when you replace the HVAC system itself. You may also want to consider upgrading your HVAC thermostat to a programmable or smart thermostat, especially if you still have a manual thermostat. Programmable and smart thermostats can lower your bills and even extend the life of your heating and cooling system because they lower the system’s workload. Replacing older thermostats will also ensure your HVAC system runs smoothly no matter the time of year.

How much does it cost to replace HVAC thermostat?

Depending on the type of HVAC thermostat you get, the average cost to install or replace it ranges from about $111 to $250. The price includes the cost of the unit as well as installation. The thermostat itself can cost anywhere between $15 for a manual thermostat and $300 for a smart thermostat. Standard programmable units cost between $20 and $150. 

What is the best HVAC thermostat?

What kind of thermostat you buy will depend on your needs and your budget. One of the best smart HVAC thermostats is the third generation Nest Learning thermostat. If you are on a tight budget but want to get a programmable thermostat, a good option is the Lux Products TX 500U Universal 5-2 programmable. For non programmable electric thermostats, one of the best is the Honeywell TH3110D1008 model. 

HVAC thermostat with humidity control

Most current programmable and smart HVAC thermostats will have humidity control. Humidity control is essential to help prevent mold growth, especially inside air ducts. Ideally relative humidity inside the home should be at 50% or lower, and at most 60%. Leaving the thermostat on constantly puts a strain on the evaporator coils, which help manage humidity. For HVAC thermostats with built-in humidity control you can adjust the humidity level manually. For other thermostats you can adjust the temperature settings to manage humidity, especially during the summer. The ideal setting is between 78 and 80 degrees. Setting the thermostat on “Auto” will also help reduce the relative humidity. On this setting, the evaporator coils are allowed to cool correctly without putting too much strain on them.